INTERVIEW
Emirates Airline has plans to penetrate further into Pakistan’s aviation market, as the UAE's flag carrier is considering to operate on the country’s domestic routes.
“We don’t say no to anything,” Jabr Al Azeeby, Country Manager Pakistan Emirates Airline, said in an interview with Money Matters.
Speaking of future plans, he said, “There are talks on government to government level and as soon as we get the go ahead, Emirates will start serving Pakistan’s domestic air passengers.”
He said that Pakistan was a huge market and the aviation sector was growing each passing day, opening up new opportunities.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts Pakistan domestic air travel will grow at least 9.5 percent per year, more than 2X faster than the world average annual growth rate of 4.1 percent over the next 20 years.
Al Azeeby said the business activities in Pakistan were gaining pace due to the improved security situation and international investors were coming back to Pakistan.
In a clear sign of Pakistan's rising middle class choosing air travel, the number of domestic and international air travellers is constantly rising in the country.
“Pakistan’s domestic air travel growth is one of the fastest in the world and the competition is increasing, which is beneficial for the passengers as well as the aviation industry of the country,” Al Azeeby said.
Airlines around the world have been seeing ups and downs, but Emirates Airlines is growing persistently. “The philosophy behind our growth is the continuance of policies. We are still pursuing the strategy framed on day one,” Al-Azeeby said.
Emirates has been investing heavily to continue meeting the expectations of its customers. “Emirates Airlines is known as the world’s top airline and we have been investing constantly in expanding and upgrading our fleet to provide world class service to the passengers.”
Emirates believes in keeping a young and fuel efficient fleet, which not only reduces the operational costs, it also helps the airline keep its emission levels within the range.
“It is our vision to grow within ourselves and invest in our own business. Emirates has no plans to take part in the privatisation scheme of Pakistan International Airlines,” Al-Azeeby said.
Jabr Al Azeeby has been appointed as the new Country Manager of Emirates Airline in Pakistan. Previously, he was Area Manager for Thailand and Indochina for Emirates. He began his career as Emirates Area Manager in Uganda in 2008 and worked in that market for three years, followed by a year-long stint as Emirates Manager for Cyprus.
Al Azeeby brings with him extensive experience in the aviation industry, which spans over eight years. He has a track record of successfully uplifting the airline’s operations in challenging markets.
“I am delighted to have been appointed as the new Country Manager for Pakistan, and I look forward to working with the local team, as well as our trade partners in further developing the Emirates business in the market,” said Al-Azeeby.
“My primary focus in the Pakistan market will be to continue providing our customers with world class travel services and value for money, as we connect them to more than 153 destinations across the world.”
The airline is leading the way in innovation and technologies; supporting growing demand for high-quality/premium travel experience from all corners of the world, setting trends, while enabling global connectivity.
Aviation, like many other industries, is an ever challenging environment to be in, the country manager said.
“Each airline is sensitive to various happenings from local to international scale in varying degrees. One thing for sure is there are great opportunities for players in this industry to explore and tap upon. What we see today was unthinkable a decade ago and I am excited to witness and experience the evolution of aviation.”
Talking about the country’s aviation industry, Al Azeeby said it is good to see the aviation sector in Pakistan finally beginning to get the attention it deserves as a growth market to increase investment, improve service to travellers, and create new jobs.
It is an exciting prospect to think that in the next 20 years more than twice as many passengers as today will have the chance to fly. Air connectivity on this scale will help transform economic opportunities for millions of people.
Sensing the opportunity, the government of Pakistan recently announced a new national aviation policy, NAP 2015, to attract new investments in the aviation sector, which reduces or eliminates a number of taxes and duties on investments. Aviation experts are of the view that taxes and duties on the aviation sector are unjustified, and a major hurdle in the growth of travel and cargo handling through air.
The NAP 2015 offers a bilateral ‘Open Skies Policy’ to other countries, based on reciprocity; a level playing field for domestic and national airlines, and the liberalised aviation sector by allowing markets to determine the price, quality, frequency and range of air services options; and taxes structured and simplified in line with the best international practices to promote transportation, spur GDP growth and create jobs.
The writer is a staff member
